Amp + Speakers for PC set up, 500 - 700?

[rbtucker]

Hello,

So, I've only used active desktop speakers for the duration of my lifetime - and quite simply, I have heard that I can achieve far superior results by increasing my budget from the normal 300 to 700 USD and using an amp + speakers set up. However, I really have no idea when it comes to real speakers. I wouldn't even know what amp to get if I successfully chose quality speakers.

Does anybody have any information regarding to what I could achieve relative to bang for buck for a 500 to 700 USD speaker set up for a gaming PC which is also used for movies, music (dubstep, classic rock to jazz) and gaming?

I'm looking for an overall set up that will produce deep bass and volume along with clarity - but is that possible with this budget? Also, is it possible to have decent overall sound without relying too much on room acoustics?

I want to try to avoid any "systems" similar to the 2.1 desktop systems I have been using, mainly because whenever a controller or speaker goes out - the entire system is lost because of discontinued product lines. I also want to avoid anything greater than 2.1 set up as of right now, but have the option to expanding to a 5.1 set up at a later time if I chose to do so.

I'm really at a loss here haha

edit: currently searching the forums as well

 

[j_garcia]

Stereo only or 5.1+?

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/loudspeakers/79563-looking-some-good-computer-speakers-my-pc-my-desk.html

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/beginners-audiophytes/79540-advise-computer-setup.html#post879484

 

[rbtucker]

Stereo only, I've been perusing through threads and I believe I want to spend a bit more money than the 200 dollar budgets that were posted. Would it just be better to grab some active desktop speakers and save up for some grandiose system a couple years down the road?

 

[j_garcia]

I think you have a good budget for what it sounds like you want to do, but still pushing it a bit. A decent pair of $200-300 speakers, a stereo receiver (maybe $300) and a modest sub. So where you'd be pushing it is since you want really good bass, you'd want to invest a bit more on the sub. Or find a used stereo receiver, which should be easy to do around $150-200.

IMO, if you go with powered speakers, then you wouldn't need a receiver right away and you'd be able to spend the whole budget on speakers/sub if the computer is the primary source and you don't need to be able to select from a bunch of different sources.

 

[rbtucker]

That's a fair point, as the main source 95% of the time will be from the PC. Do powered speakers / powered sub exist aside from the 2.1 PC speaker packages?

 

[j_garcia]

Some powered speakers, like the Audioengine A5+, have an output that allows you to basically loop out to any powered sub you like with the right connections (most subs will have this). If not, then you'd want a soundcard that has a sub pre-out to send the correct signal to the speakers and sub separately, and this is probably the better choice since you should also be able to perform the crossover in the card before the signal is distributed to the various speakers.